Xscape to Qingliangfeng

Anything involving Mr Jencks always has potential for adventure, whether it’s a further exploration of the Canals, or working out a Puxi Pudong combo ride. So when the late option came up to head out to Qingliangfeng (清凉峰) to check out some new routes, it was a hard invitation to turn down.

Joining the recce would be Jens and Josh, so it certainly wasn’t going to be a weekend of easy riding.

We opted to take the train to Jiashan to hook up with Jens and then take the Jiakina Director Sportif vehicle from there.

We were at Justin’s Xscape Zone HQ in Qingliangfeng in time for a couple of beers and discussion of route possibilities for Saturday. Predictably and despite the threat of thunderstorms, we took the bait of the yet to be ridden route #2 and even decided to dispense with the optional van drop off that would have shaved 50km off what appeared to already be a 200km loop.

For many of us the route would incorporate what was undoubtedly the best section of the infamous 400km Huangshan Shanghai ride we had completed last year.

Day 1 – Jingzhou Rd (荆州公路) Climb

By 7.30 we were on the road, along with those close companions; trepidation and eagerness, sometimes cynically referred to as naievity! After a rugged descent down a fairly narrow path from Qingliangfeng, we were soon on decent road, the G56 and on the look out for a minor turnoff that would provide a cut through to the main loop and climbs of the day.

After about 25km, we believed we had found it and headed north down a minor looking road that would connect us with the X086.

Invariably the road narrowed, soon became a path and ultimately became a trail, that even being generous couldn’t be described as single track. Perfect terrain for carbon frames and deep dish wheels.

Eventually after navigated a landslide, we found ourselves in a tarmac’ed village and shortly back on G56. A veritable bonus of 25km in our legs and likely another hour added to the day. But that’s what exploration is all about unfortunately.

We dispensed at this stage with trying to find the cut through and instead headed in the direction go Guilin (桂林镇), knowing that we’d be able to pick up the loop from there for sure.

By this stage the sun was out, the road surface fantastic, but there remained the nagging feeling that with this detour and the bonus loop, we were potentially facing a 300km day in the saddle.

Spirits remained up, as we finally got through Guilin, Jixi (绩溪县) and headed for the hills. It steadily started to look familiar terrain from the Huangshan Shanghai ride, although this time not ridden as part of a frentic peleton being driven on our Dutch friend Roger Holterman. Roger had been invited for the this trip, but made apologies for being back in Europe. Something to do with a big football tournament.

The climb up Jingzhou (荆州) Road is without doubt the highlight of the route. 20km of stunning scenery and switchbacks. Jens made a break for it and despite a second flat, just before the summit, was first over.

It was at this point, the joys of technology reared it’s ugly head. We were, as the crow flies, only 10km from our starting point, but unless we wanted to carry bikes cross country, it was still a 100km loop back by road.

By now already 17.00, we were realistic that completing the loop probably wasn’t going to happen.

The weather had also finally begun to turn, so were unable to really hammer the descent. After a quick noodle stop in Jingzhouxiang (荆州乡), we decided to push on as long as we could.

A magnificent stretch of highway, the S18, and a drying road finally allowed us to have that long sought after spectacular descent, into Longingzhen (龙岗镇). At this point, we opted to bail, grabbed a well deserved dinner and beers and negotiated a man with a van to complete the final 40km after dark, back to Qingliangfeng.

Day 2 – Qiānniúgǎng (牵牛岗) Radar Station

The prognosis on the weather for Sunday was grimmer than the Irish performance against Belgium that we had been subjected to on Sat night. We subsequently opted for a shorter route in an attempt to not bite off more than we could chew! Famous last words.

We headed in general direction of Damingshan (大明山), knowing that there looked to be a pretty decent climb there.

After 30km we were at the foot of the climb and we were not to be disappointed. The road was clearly recently built, but there was a lot of evidence of previous landslides and rock falls.

Jens bolted again, showing that despite an MBA and a move to Jiashan, he still had the form that had made him one of Shanghai’s best triathletes.

That was not to be the only bolt of the day, as about 6km into the climb the predicted thunderstorm arrived.  At this stage, we were unclear on how much climbing was left and exactly where the road would end up, as we saw it winding away in the distance, up the mountain.

The climb was stunning, even in the rain. However it was tempered with another nagging feeling. This time that we would have to descend down the same stretch and none of us had bothered with waterproofs.

After 1.5hrs Justin and myself finally reached the peak, having just seen Jens and Josh commencing their descent. Turned out the road goes to nowhere. Just an impressive weather radar station perched on the top of the mountain. Whilst not quite on a par with Mont Ventoux’s, we were glad the investment had been made to build such a good road up to it.

Serious wind, rain and low visibility ensured our stay at the top was brief. The descent unfortunately wasn’t so brief, taking an inordinate amount of time, break pads and numbness before we we were 1,100m lower down and another welcome bowl of noodle soup.

We still had a 25km roll back to and up Qingliangfeng, but knew it would be small change in comparison to what we had been up.

All in all a great weekend in Qingliangfeng. 4,000m of climbing and still not half of the routes explored and that’s without even mentioning the trail running, hiking and mountain biking.

Will definitely make a trip back, knowing now the key routes and what should and shouldn’t be attempted for a day’s ride!

More info on Xscape can be found at:

website: www.xscape.zone

https://www.facebook.com/xscapezone/